Ammunition for explosive operated tools



arch 7, 1939. P. E. LITTLEHALE 2,149,314

AMMUNITION FOR EXPLOSIVE OPERATED TOOLS Filed June 22, 1936 INVENTOR PHIL/P E. LITTLE/MAE ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 7, 193% STAT TRON lFQR EXPLDSWE @PIERATED TQUILS tion of Connecticut Application .le 22, 1936, Serial No. 36,464

8 Claims.

My invention relates to ammunition and to working elements, hammers, pistons or the like adapted for use in explosive operated tools, such as that described in my Patent No. 2,008,362, granted me July 16, 1935.

As described in said patent, working elements such as hammers or punches are actuated by an explosive charge. When,,as I prefer, the same element is used over and over again, it is desirable that it be capable of ready insertion into and removal from the tool. It is also desirable that the working element be properly positioned with respect to the explosive charge, and the work to be operated upon. Furthermore, the type of working element used may vary in size and weight and the form of any depression or deformation produced by the working element may vary with the work to be performed.

iii?

In accordance with my invention such changes and variations in the work done are made possible by providing a shell or cartridge carrying the explosive charge for actuating the tool and formed to receive and hold the working element. A working element of the desired character can then be inserted into the shell, and the shell carrying the working element placed in the tool, so that the element is in proper relation or position with respect to both the explosive charge and the work insuring proper performance of the desired operation. After the tool is actuated, the shell may be removed and discarded and the working element removed from the tool and inserted into another shell for performing a succeeding operation.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel type of ammunition adapted for use in explosive actuated tools.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel working element adapted for use in explosive actuated tools. I

A further object of my invention is to insure accurate positioning of the working element and an explosive charge for use in actuating an explosive actuated tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide a firm bond between a cable or electrical conductor and splicing or terminal members therefor.

These and other objects and features of my invention will appear from the following description thereof, in which reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing wherein:

Fig l. is an elevation of a typical construction embodying the I present invention with a part thereof broken away.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through a portion of an explosive actuated tool, showing ammunition embodying the present invention positioned therein.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of that portion of an explosive actuated tool, illustrated in Fig. 2.

Figs. 4 and 5 are perspectives of alternative forms of working elements adapted for use in an explosive actuated tool.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through a cable and splicing member as acted upon by the working elements of Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line ll? of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan View of the construction of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating an alternative construction.

In that form of my invention illustrated in the drawing for the purpose of indicating the nature of my invention, a suitable working element 2 formed of steel or other material and of the desired size, weight, and strength is provided with a reduced portion 1 at one end thereof, and if desired, a similarly reduced portion 6 may be provided at the opposite end thereof. A shell 8 carrying an explosive charge for actuating the tool, is provided with a base it and may have the usual detonator and a charge of powder 92. Wadding id retains the powder in the shell and an extended portion it of the shell is suitably formed to retain the wadding in position. As illustrated the extended portion it is folded inwardly upon itself or crimped to prevent displacement of the wedding. In the present invention the portion i6 is extended sufi'iciently to present a recess beyond the wadding into which the reduced portion 43 of the working element extends. The extended and folded portion iii of the shell is sufiiciently resilient and yieldable to permit ready insertion of the reduced portion 4 and to hold the Working element in position so that it will be properly actuated when the explosive charge is fired. The shell may be formed of paper or other suitable material and may be of any desired caliber or bore to fit the tool in which iii) type of work for which it is intended. By forming the opposite ends 01' the working element with reduced portions 4 and 6, the element may be reversed so that difierent types of operations may be performed with a single element, simply by reversing the element and positioning either the reduced portion 4 or the reduced portion 6 adjacent the wadding and within the recess formed by the extended portion l6 of the shell. The element will thus be retained in the shell by the resiliency of the extended portion l6.

As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the form of the reduced portions 4 and 6 may be quite different in character or appearance. The elements illustrated are particularly adapted for use in splicing cable or electrical conductors and for attaching splicing members, terminal members, and connectors thereto. In the construction of Fig. 4,

the reduced portion 4 is provided with a circu-- larly arranged group to projections 20, which serve to form a depression in a tubular cable splicing member or sleeve 22, such as that illustrated in Fig. 8. The reduced portion 6 of the construction of Fig. 5 is provided with a projection 24 of elongated form, the surface of which may be corrugated or otherwise formed to produce an indentation, such as that illustrated at 26 in Fig. 8.

Each 01' the working elements shown, when used in splicing cables, serves to crimp or fold the material of the sleeve 22, as shown in Fig. 6, thereby providing a firm bond between the sleeve and the cable or conductor 30, insuring great strength and excellent electrical conductivity. Any tendency for the depressed area to spring away from the conductor or to buckle due to expansion, vibration, or tension is overcome by the folded or corrugated nature of the indentations produced. The construction of Fig. 5 has the further advantage of producing an indentation, which, as shown in Fig. 7, serves to draw the material of the sleeve inwardly about the conductor overcoming any tendency there might be for the sleeve to flatten or spread outwardly away from the cable at the points 32. At the same time the depression may also serve to corrugate or fold the material of the sleeve to prevent buckling thereof.

When using the construction of Fig. 5, it is desirable that the projection 24 be positioned in the tool in a predetermined relation with respect to the work, such as the sleeve to be acted upon in order that the indentation produced will extend lengthwise to the sleeve or in some other desired direction with respect to the work. For this purpose the working element may be provided with a notch or mark 34 and the shell 8 may be jection 38 on the usual ejector 40, provided for splicing cables when using ammunition embodying my invention, the cable 30 is inserted into a tubular sleeve 22, and a working element such as that of Fig. 5 is positioned in a shell with the reduced portion 4 thereof, engaging the projecting portion Hi of the shell and extending into the recess beyond the wadding l4. The working element is thus firmly but removably secured in position with respect to the explosive charge. The mark 34 on the working element is positioned in alignment with the mark on the shell and the shell is inserted in the tool with the recess 36 in engagement with the projection 38 on the ejector 40. The sleeve 22 having the cable 30 inserted therein, is placed in position in the tool and the explosive charge is fired for actuating the tool.

The working element is thus projected against the sleeve 22 forming a depression therein, such as'that shown in Figs. 6, 7, and; 8, drawing the sleeve tightly about conductor 30 and corrugating the depressed area. A firm and permanent bond is thereby provided between the sleeve and the cable. After performing the operation, the shell may be ejected and discarded and the working element removed from the tool and inserted in another shell with either the reduced end 4 or the reduced end 6, engaging the extended portion l6 of the shell so that another operation may be performed and, if desired, a different type of depression or deformation formed in the work.

While the shell illustrated may be formed of paper, it will be apparent that it may, ii desired, be formed of other material, andthe diameter or caliber may be of any suitable size. It will be noted, however, that in order to form a large depression it will be necessary to employ a large working element having a large free end and that the barrel of the tool'will have to be proportionately large. small depression is needed, shells may be preferred.

As illustrated in Fig. 9 an adapter may be used in order that a relatively large working element may be used while employing only a.relatively small cartridge for actuating the tool. With this construction an adapter 42 in the form of a tubular member is inserted in the breach of the tool 44 and is provided with a rim 46 having a recess 48 therein for positioning the adapter with respect to the ejector 50. The adapter is thus positioned also with respect to the tool. The adapter is formed on the front thereof with'a projection 52 which engages or fits into a complementary recess formed in the working element 54 so that the working element is positioned with respect to the adapter while the adapter is positioned with respect to the tool. The location of a projection on the forward. end of the working element is thus fixed so that a depression may be formed in the work at a predetermined angle or direction with respect thereto.

The cartridge 56 shown in Fig. 3 may be relatively small and if desired may be formed of metal with a crimped portion 58 for holding wadding 60 in place and with a projecting portion 62 which may be split at 64 or otherwise formed to frictionally engage the reduced portion 66 of the working element. The reduced portion of smaller metallic the working element may be provided with a recess 68 engaged by the projecting portion 62 of the cartridge, if desired, although .this is not essential since frictional engagement of the working element with the cartridge has been found in practice to be sufiicient to insure proper position- .ing and operation of the working element.

However, when only a relatively 4o areasre In any case, it is desirable that the size and weight of the working element and the size and character of the explosive charge used for actu ating the same should be chosen to produce the most effective operation of the tool. Further more it is usually desirable that the body E8 of the working element be nearly as large as the barrel of the tool, so that only a small clearance is provided in order that the working element when actuated, will be held against the work for an appreciable length of time, due to the force of the gases within the barrel and will not be permitted to rebound from the work until the material acted upon has taken a permanent set.

The forms of working elements illustrated in the drawing represent only two of the many possible alternatives that may be used for splicing cables or for performing other work. Furthermore, only one end of the working element need be reduced for engagement with the shell. However, I prefer to reduce both ends of the working element in order that either end may be used and the element reversed for performing difi'erent operations or for use in the event that the opposite end thereof should become damaged. It should, th'erefore, be understood that the forms of my invention illustrated in the drawing and herein described, are intended to be representative of typical embodiments of my invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. Ammunition adapted for use in an explosive operated tool having in combination a shell with an explosive charge therein and wadding covering the charge, the lateral walls of the shell having a portoin thereof extending a substantial distance beyond said wedding and turned inwardly upon itself and engaging said wadding to retain it in place, the inturned portion of said walls forming a recess and in front of said wadding, and a working element having a portion thereof extending into said recess slidably and frictionally engaging the inturned portion of said walls to retain the working element in position.

2. Ammunition adapted for use in an explosive operated tool having in combination a shell with an explosive charge therein and wadding cover ing the charge, the lateral walls of the shell having a portion thereof extending a substantial distance beyond said wadding and turned inwardly upon itself and engaging said wadding to retain it in place, the inturned portion of said walls forming a recess in front of said wadding and presenting a folded edge at one end of the shell, and a working element having a body of greater diameter than said recess formed with a shoulder engaging the folded edge of said shell and a portion of reduced diameter extending into said recess and slidably and frictionally engaging the inturned portion of said walls to retain the working element in position.

3. Ammunition adapted for use in an explosive operated tool having in combination a shell with an explosive charge therein and wadding covering the charge, the lateral walls of said shell having a portion thereof extending a substantial distance beyond said wadding and turned inwardly upon itself and engaging said wadding to retain it in place, the inturned portion of said walls forming a recess in front of said wadding and presenting a folded edge at one end of the shell, and. a working element having a body of greater diameter than said recess formed with a shoulder for engaging the folded edge of the inturned portion of said walls and with a portion of reduced diameter extending into said recess and slidably and frictionally engaging the inturned portion of said walls, the portion of said element which extends into said recess being shorter than the inturned portion of said walls so that the inner end thereof is held in spaced relation with respect to said wadding when the shoulder on said element is in engagement with said folded edge whereby the insertion of the working element into said shell does not alter the pressure applied to the explosive charge in said shell.

4. Ammunition adapted for use in an explosive operated tool which has means thereon to position a shell in predetermined relation with respect thereto, comprising a shell, a working element removably carried by said shell and formed on the free end thereof with projecting means extending substantially diametrically with respect to said working element and cooperating means on adjacent portions of said shell and element for indicating the position of the projecting means on the end of said element with respect to said shell.

5. Ammunition adapted for use in an explosive operated tool which has means thereon to position a shell in predetermined relation with respect thereto, comprising a shell with an explosive charge therein, a working element removably secured to said shell having a body formed on the free end thereof with projecting means extending diametrically with respect to said body and formed on the opposite end thereof with means for removably securing the shell and working element together, the body of said element having a shoulder thereon abutting the end of the shell and cooperating means on adjacent portions of said shell and element for indicating the position of said element with respect to said shell.

6. Ammunition adapted for use in an explosive operated tool which has means thereon to position a shell in predetermined relation with respect thereto comprising the combination of a shell with an explosive charge therein and wadding covering the charge, the lateral walls of said shell having a portion thereof extending a substantial distance beyond said wadding and turned inwardly upon itself and engaging said wadding to retain it in place, the inturned portion of said walls forming a recess in front of said wadding and presenting a folded edge at one end of the shell, and a working element having a body of greater diter than said recess formed with a shoulder for engaging the folded edge of the inturned portion of said walls and with a portion of reduced diameter extending into said recess and slidably and frictionally engaging the inturned portion of said walls, said working element being formed on the free end thereof with pro- ,iecting means extending substantially diametrlcally with respect to said working element and cooperating means on adjacent portions of said shell and element for indicating the position of the projecting means on the free end of said element with respect to said shell.

'7. Ammunition adapted for use in explosive operated tools having in combination a shell with an explosive charge therein and wadding covering the charge, the lateral walls of the shell being formed of paper and having a portion thereof extending a substantial distance beyond said wadding and turned inward upon itself and engaging said wadding to retain the wadding in place, the inturned portion of said walls forming a recess in front of the wadding, the sides of which recess are sumciently resilient and yleldable to permit limited flexing thereof and ready insertion and removal of a working element into said recess and a removable working element having a portion thereof extending into said recess and formed to fit closely against the sides of said recess and frictionally retained in position with respect to said shell by the sides of said recess.

8. Ammunition adapted for use in explosive operated tools having in combination a shell with an explosive charge therein and wadding covering the charge, the lateral walls of the shell being formed of paper and having a portion thereof extending a substantial distance beyond said wadding and turned inward upon itself and engaging said wadding to retain the wadding in place,

the inturned portion of said walls forming a. recess in front 01' the wadding, the sides of which recess are sufllciently resilient and yieldable to permit limited flexing thereof and ready insertion and removal of a working element into said recess and a removable working element having a body of greater diameter than said recess formed with a shoulder for engaging the folded edge of the inturned portion of the walls of the shell and with a portion of reduced diameter extending into said recess and formed to fit closely against the sides of said recess, frictionally to retain said 

